The local COMPASS center is the recipient of state funding to help support two programs that provide basic needs.
Executive Director Molly MacMath says the $6,590 is through the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Office of Criminal Justice Services to be used for human trafficking prevention.
“COMPASS runs the Tusc Against Trafficking Committee in Tuscarawas County and one of the program we do under that umbrella is Snack Chat. Additionally, we also try to provide boxes of blessings out into the community. We have a box at JFS, and we provide boxes throughout the school year to partner schools who are low on supplies.”
Snack Chat takes place at Tuscora Park, where a hot meal is available along with household cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items.
MacMath says these are important programs for community outreach.
“We believe very strongly that in order to fight the spread of human trafficking in our community; we have to be able to be a source of relationship building. If that means providing them a hot meal, providing them some toilet paper, paper towels to have at their home. When we can meet the needs of our community members better than the traffickers can then we cut down on human trafficking in our community. It is here and it is happening.”
More information about the work the committee is doing locally can be found on the Tusc Against Trafficking Facebook page.
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